Wrap-around article carrier with floating internal partition



Dec. 27, 1966 r E. J. GRAS'ER 3,294,280

WRAP-AROUND ARTICLE CARRIER WITH FLOATING INTERNAL PARTITION Filed July 20, 1965 5 SheetsSheet 1 INVENTOR.

[[G- Z EARL JGRASER ATTORNEY Dec. 27, 1966 I E. J. GRASER 3,294,280

WRAP-AROUND ARTICLE CARRIER WITH FLOATING INTERNAL PARTITION Filed July 20, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG*2 INVENTOR EARL J. GRASER A TTORNEV Dec. 27, 1966 E. J. GRASER 3,294,280

WRAP-AROUND ARTICLE CARRIER WITH FLOATING INTERNAL PARTITION Filed July 20, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet. 5

INVENTOR. EARL .1 GRASER A TTOPNFV United States Patent 3,294,230 WRAP-ARGUND ARTICLE CARRIER WITH FLOATING INTERNAL PARTITION Earl J. Graser, Monroe, La., assignor to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, a corporation of Virginia Filed July 20, 1965, Ser. No. 473,386 1 Claim. (Cl. 220-112) The present invention relates to wrap-around article carriers and in particular relates to a carrier of this class having a separate internal partition structure.

This invention is an improvement upon the disclosures of co-pending applications S.N. 383,373, filed July 17, 1964 by Earl I. Graser, and SN. 393,252, filed August 31, 1964, now Patent No. 3,252,649 by Earl J. Graser and Richard L. Schuster.

The invention has for its primary feature the provision for an internal partition structure separate from a carrier blank, which is free to float, in limited fashion, relative to the blank while retaining a connection between the partition and the blank.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a connector ta-b hinged to the wrap-around carrier blank which is operative to engage a notch formed in the partition to effect a flexible joint between the carrier blank and the partition structure.

A wrap-around article carrier embracing certain features of the present invention may comprise a wraparound blank in combination with a separate internal partition structure defining at least a longitudinal partition and a connector tab hinged to the blank operative to engage and form a knee joint with said partition.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from an examination of the succeeding specification and claim when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a typical wrap-around carrier blank disclosing the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the carrier blank and internal partition partially assembled;

FIG. 3 shows the completed wrap-around carrier with certain portions broken away to show the flexible joint between the carrier blank and the internal partition;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the structure of FIG. 3, inverted, showing in greater detail the flexible connection between the carrier blank and notch of the longitudinal partition;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a typical scheme for setting the tuck panels and the connector tab during the course of fabrication.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, note that the wrap-around carrier blank indicated generally by the reference numeral includes side walls 11 and 12, top wall 13, and bottom wall panels 14 and 16.

Blank 10 is formed with wing structures 17 and 18 comprising end wall panels 19, 21, 22, and 23.

The end wall panels, hinged to the side edges of the blank 10 at score lines 2424, straddle and are hinged to tuck panels as described and disclosed in said copending applications.

The tuck panels are identified by the reference numerals 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, and 32. Tuck flaps 33 and ice 34 are hinged to tuck panels 26 and 28 respectively while tuck flaps 36 and 37 are hinged to tuck panels 29 and 32 respectively.

Sandwiched between tuck panels 26 and 28 and hinged to tuck panel 27 by means of a score line 38 is a connector tab 39.

Correspondingly, connector tab 4 1 is hinged to the opposite tuck panel 31 by means of score line 42.

Referring to FIG. 2, note that an internal partition structure identified generally by reference numeral 43 includes a longitudinal partition 44 formed with a notch 46 having a shoulder 47.

As is most apparent in FIGS. 3 and 4, during the course of fabrication of the wrap-around carrier blank into the completed package, finger device 48 (see FIG. 5') is effective to position connector tab 39 (or 41, as the case may be) so that edge 49 of the tab engages and rides upon shoulder 47.

The positioning of the associated tuck panels occurs simultaneously with the positioning of tab 39.

Since connector tab 39 is hinged to the carrier blank 10 at score line 38, longitudinal partition 44 is free to move fore and aft relative to the carton blank in the direction shown by the arrows labeled 45 of FIG. 4 without breaking the connection between tab 39 and partition 47.

In addition, the partition 47 is free to float or slide to and fro transversely of the carrier blank 10 in the direction indicated by the arrows labeled 51 in FIG. 4 without breaking contact between the connector tab and the partition structure.

It is anticipated that a wide variety of modifications may be devised in the wrap-around carrier blank and the longitudinal partition panel to effect the flexible joint of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

In a wrap-around article carrier including a body portion having top, bottom, and side walls connected in series, wing elements hinged to opposite sides of said top, each wing element being scored to form fold lines defining a set of end wall pane-ls and tuck panels, each set having two end wall panels straddling three intermediate tuck panels, and a separate internal partition panel, the improvement comprising notches at both ends of said partition panel, each of said notches including a surface disposed generally parallel to said bottom, each set of tuck panels having a connector tab hinged thereto, each of said connector tabs being disposed generally perpendicular to said bottom and in engagement with said surface of said notch, the hinge structure of said tab facilitating limited motion of said partition panel relative to said body portion without breaking the connection therebetween.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,446,161 7/ 1948 Price 220-11 3,128,010 4/ 1964 Forrer 2201 12 3,166,228 1/1965 Weiss 229-15 3,181,727 5/ 1965 Graser et al. 220'1l5 3,204,814 9/1965 Mahon 220112 GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner. 

